Scots jobless total rises to more than UK rate
UNEMPLOYMENT has i ncreased in Scotland in the last three months.
The jobless total rose by 6000 between October and December leaving Scotland with a higher rate than the UK.
The jobless rate is now 4.9% in Scotland and 4.8% in the UK as a whole.
However year on year the total decreased by 0.9% leading to the Scottish Government to state the economy was resilient in the face of uncertainty.
In Glasgow, the Jobseeker claimant count remained at around 13,500 compared to the year before.
Small business leaders warned a number of factors will put pressure on businesses and are likely to lead to an increase in unemployment in the coming year.
The Federation of Small Business said that labour costs particularly pension contributions and a rise in the minimum wage will add thousands on to members’ costs.
Colin Borland, head of devolved nations at the FSB, said: “From April, UK Government policy changes will drive up employment costs for the average FSB employer by £2,600.
“This is due to pension auto- enrolment, a rise in the National Living Wage and the associated increase in National Insurance contributions.
“At the Budget, the Chancellor must intervene to protect our jobs market from the impact of these surging costs by expanding its successful employment allowance.”
Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Government employability Minister said there were positives from the latest figures.
He said: “These figures are en- couraging and show that Scotland’s labour market remains resilient. We are working to build an economy where everyone can share in the benefits of economic growth.
“It is therefore encouraging to note this rise in the number of people in work alongside some positive statistics on female and youth employment, where we continue to lead the UK.”
Opponents, however, warned that the prospect of a second independence referendum is creat- ing uncertainty which is affecting business confidence.
Jackie Baillie, Labour’s Economy Spokeswoman, said: “Scotland is lagging behind the UK in virtually every area of economic performance.
“SNP ministers in Edinburgh need to get their focus back on growing our economy rather than planning a divisive second independence referendum which will just create more uncertainty for business. It’s time to take that threat off the table.”